Experience vs. fresh vision: Langstaff and Jenkins face off in Albany Ward V race

Bob Langstaff

ALBANY — After 24 years on the Albany City Commission, Ward V Commissioner Bob Langstaff said his proudest accomplishments center around two things: public safety and fiscal responsibility. But he’s quick to point out there’s still work to be done, and that’s why he’s running for re-election.

“Since I’ve been there for 24 years, we have significantly increased police pay so that we’re no longer behind our neighbors,” Langstaff said. “But we need to do more. “

Langstaff said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley reports that APD is 50 sworn officers short, mirroring a nationwide trend. 

“There’s a lot of tension between the public and law enforcement, and that naturally discourages people from going into the field,” he said. 

He said Albany also has a large number of calls for service per officer, which may dissuade some officers without the proper benefits to entice them.

Langstaff said he wants to push for better benefits for officers and other public safety employees. During his time as commissioner, the city created a specialized pension plan for police and firefighters. He added that Albany has made “heavy investments in technology” — from patrol car laptops to upgraded bulletproof vests — to help recruit and retain officers.

On the fiscal side, Langstaff said he’s proud that the city has kept property taxes relatively stable. 

He said looking at the five-year history, the city’s portion of property taxes hasn’t gone up much, noting that in 2002, the city collected $14.5 million in property taxes. In 2024, that number was only $15.9 million … just a $1.4 million increase in 22 years.

He credits the city’s utility revenues — about $20 million a year transferred to the general fund — with helping to keep those taxes low.

However, Langstaff said he is concerned about fiscal responsibility and warned that new construction projects, like new gyms and downtown projects, may create instability. 

“I’m afraid the commission will have to raise property taxes or utility rates to pay for all this,” he said. 

Langstaff has pulled data from city records showing expensive and consistent maintenance needs for Albany’s newer Driskell Park Facility. He also pointed out that the city doesn’t have the recreation staff to man these facilities, leading to hours of operation that don’t make sense for the community. He said he believes recreation should’ve been consolidated into a single state-of-the-art facility in a centralized location, like downtown.

“The reason we have so many small gymnasiums all over town is really a product of segregation,” he said. “It’s sad we’re perpetuating it.”

He said a centralized facility with multiple courts and fields could lead to more shared gathering space and save on maintenance costs.

Langstaff said downtown development is also top of mind for him. He said he’d like to see a focus in finding more opportunities to bring housing to downtown Albany, rather than hotels. 

“One of the reasons that I voted against this $11 million hotel subsidy is because I really think it ought to be an apartment complex,” he said. “We need people living down here. If people are living here 24/7, they’re here on the weekends. It’s not a ghost town. The 229 Flats? They’ve got a waiting list. Young people want to live down here.”

As for what drives him after more than two decades in public service, Langstaff said it’s simple: 

“I want this place to be the best it can be,” he said. “I want it to be safe and fiscally responsible. The people in Ward V are hard-working people who just want to raise a family. They want to feel safe. They don’t want their property taxes to be any higher. They’re not asking for any new shiny objects in Ward V. Just the basics. Pay for our roads. Keep us safe.”

Colette Jenkins

From working as a Piggly Wiggly cashier to serving as a Georgia State Patrol officer to starting her very own nonprofit, Colette Jenkins said every chapter of her life has led her to one purpose: serving the Albany community.

“It’s a combination of all of my life’s experiences, my love for my people, my love for my city – the city of Albany … it’s just really in my heart to help transform the community,” Jenkins, who is challenging Commissioner Bob Langstaff for his Ward V seat, said. 

She said her different roles each has taught her lessons and deepened her connection to community members. As a GSP officer, Jenkins said she wasn’t quick to write tickets but rather grew to learn the power of a warning. One of the few women serving on the force, Jenkins said being a state trooper taught her how to handle conflict, how to negotiate and how to connect with community members.

Shortly after leaving GSP, Jenkins was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

“I was in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t take care of myself,” she said. “I was really in a really bad place, but I had to have faith and believe that this was going to turn around for me. Ultimately it did.”

Through treatment, therapy and determination, Jenkins regained her mobility and found a new mission. Jenkins was diagnosed with MS at a time when many health professionals believed African Americans couldn’t have MS. She began speaking across the state, calling attention to the illness among African Americans.

She joined the National MS Society, brought MS walks to Albany and eventually formed a nonprofit called Chosen to Conquer, where she advocated for those struggling with MS, heart disease and breast cancer. She formed support groups for African Americans living with MS. 

“I wanted people to know they weren’t alone,” she said. “You can live with MS, and we can make it together.”

Now, Jenkins is turning her focus to public service, seeking to bring new leadership to Albany’s City Commission. 

“Our current commissioner has been there 23 years, and Albany still looks the same,” she said. “If not me, then who? When you love a city, you take care of it, and I don’t think we’re being taken care of.”

Jenkins said improving communication with constituents, small business aid, downtown revitalization, infrastructure and support for law enforcement are her key concerns.

Jenkins has served on the APD’s Civilian Council. She said she is concerned about staffing within the department and wants to work toward solutions to bring more officers on, such as incentives or better pay.

Jenkins said she wants to “make decisions based upon the needs of the people” and ensure “their voice will be heard.” She said she believes she can work with the other five commissioners and the mayor to make Albany better.

In her own ward, Jenkins said she’d like to see studies done on traffic concerns along Old Dawson Road, which she said has become a “main thoroughfare.” She’d also like to see roads paved and flooding addressed. 

As far as downtown development, Jenkins said she’d like to see a greater array of businesses and spaces geared toward Albany State University students, creating that “college town” feel. 

She said she’s all about moving Albany forward. 

“It’s about really really changing the scope of the community,” Jenkins said. “We’ve got to do it, and I’m the one to do it.”